All airports fully operational nationwide, confirms PAA

• Jeddah-Lahore PK-842 departs for Lahore from Karachi.
• Flights to Dubai, Istanbul see varied schedules.
• PA-401 departs from Lahore for Karachi. 

KARACHI: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday night confirmed that all the airports were functioning normally across the country.

In a statement, the PAA said that the national airspace remains open and safe for both domestic and international airlines.

The flight operations remained suspended for almost eight hours due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India at the country’s major airports, including Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.

According to aviation sources, multiple flights have resumed from both major airports. At Karachi airport, two international flights and one domestic flight operated today.

From Lahore, the first flight to Karachi — PA-401 operated by a private airline — has departed. Meanwhile, international flights from Karachi saw varied schedules. PK-607 bound for Dubai departed ahead of time, while TK-709 for Istanbul was delayed.

Additionally, Jeddah-Lahore flight PK-842, which had landed in Karachi due to escalation, was sent onward to Lahore this morning.

Despite resumption of airport operation, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has suspended its regular flight operations for 12 hours.

On the other hand, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) sources said Islamabad's airspace is open for flights.

Furthermore, the aviation sources said that Islamabad Airport's flight operation has also been restored as four private planes landed here.

Meanwhile, the PAA has issued a new Notam (Notice to Airmen), announcing the reclosure of Lahore's airspace for various flight routes.

The Notam states that the routes within Lahore's airspace will be closed for 24 hours.

Whereas, the Notam also confirmed the resumption of flight operations at the Islamabad Airport.

It said incoming flights will be permitted to arrive in Islamabad after coordination and assistance from the Air Traffic Control.

Pakistan had suspended flight operations at major airports following India’s attack inside the country on Tuesday-Wednesday night.

Pakistan armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters after India carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.